Device for transporting goods from one conveyor device to at least one other conveyor device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for transferring products of different size, weight, shape and load state from one conveyor device to a further conveyor device disposed parallel or at a defined angle to the first conveyor device includes feed rollers ( 2 ) that have their own drive and a lifting device ( 5, 106, 206 ) for raising and lowering the conveyed product via receiving elements ( 7 ), which are located in the space between the feed rollers ( 2 ). The lifting device ( 5, 106, 206 ) is secured either to or laterally on a longitudinal drive ( 10, 102 ) or to a driving carriage ( 202 ). Upon the transfer of the conveyed product, the operator of the conveyor devices upstream, downstream, and in between can continue without interruption.

The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring products beingconveyed, as generically defined by the preambles to claims 1, 2, 3 and4.

In the prior art, the most various kinds of apparatus for delivering aproduct being conveyed from one conveyor device to another are known,such as chain ejectors, belt transfer means, flat belt transfer means,swiveling shunts, discharge pushers, etc. German Utility Model DE 89 03730 U1 describes an apparatus with which products are grasped by agripper device and then transferred. Apparatuses of this kind are in usein the beverage industry, for example, for packing bottles in certainpacks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,995 describes an infeed device forproportioning certain goods to be conveyed, where the goods beingconveyed are fed in onto a main feed path and aligned relative toconveyors moving relative to the goods, such as belt or strap conveyors.U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,841 describes an apparatus for transferring goods orproducts to be conveyed from one feed path to another, which for exampleis at an angle of 90 to the original feed path. The transfer apparatusand the load-being rollers are driven by means of a centrally drivenvertical shaft and round transmission belts. In these apparatuses, thereis the problem of motion of a conveyor means (flat belt, round belt)relative to the products being conveyed, so that torsion of the goodsbeing conveyed, which is hard to control, can occur. The product beingconveyed cannot be positioned in a defined way during the course ofdelivery. This often causes disruptions in the flow of material inconveyor devices. In these apparatuses, it is also quite difficult tomove different kinds of products being conveyed, that is, products thatdiffer in size, weight, shape (cardboard boxes, containers, etc.), or toconduct a mixed operation in which products of different dimensions needto be conveyed. Another problem, in apparatuses in current use, is whenthe product being conveyed, such as a plastic container or a cardboardbox, is loaded on one side. In that case, crash situations often arisein the discharge or delivery process. Furthermore, it is usuallypossible for a product being conveyed to be fed in only one direction,and only from one conveyor device to a maximum of one other conveyordevice extending parallel, perpendicular, or diagonally to it.

It is therefore the object of the invention to create an apparatus fortransferring products being conveyed of various size (width, length,height), weight, shape and loading condition from one conveyor device toat least one second conveyor device, disposed parallel to the first orat a defined angle to it, and to enable a transfer with the capabilityof precise positioning, that is, without friction and without slippingof the product being conveyed. The invention is intended to make itpossible to enable a transfer of products being conveyed not in merelyone direction but selectively in at least two direction from oneconveyor device to other conveyor devices, disposed parallel or at adefined angle to the first conveyor device. It is intended that theinvention be integratable into conveyor devices of the most variouskinds, and in particular it should be possible to use the invention incombination with roller conveyors with a very tight roller spacing, andto retrofit existing systems with the invention. The invention is meantto enable transferring even products being conveyed of high weight, suchas Europallets, using the most cost-effective technologies and assuringthe greatest possible operating safety and reliability with the leastpossible wear. It must also be possible to use the apparatus in the foodindustry or in explosion-proof rooms.

This object is attained according to the invention by means of thecharacteristics of the bodies of claims 1, 2, 3 and 4. Dependent claims5-20 recite how the invention is further embodied.

By means of the invention, it is attained that products being conveyedof different size, weight and shape, which are also conveyed on conveyordevices in a mixed mode of operation, can be transferred from oneconveyor device to at least one other conveyor device, without anyfriction or slipping of the products being conveyed occurring during thetransfer operation. The invention also enables problem-free transferalof products being conveyed loaded on one side, for example; that is, theloading condition of the product being conveyed does not matter. Bymeans of the invention, precise positioning of the most various kinds ofproduct being conveyed in the transfer process is made possible. Theinvention enables the use of the transfer apparatus in conjunction withconveyor devices of the most various kinds, in particular in conjunctionwith roller conveyors with very close roller spacing, and also allowsexisting conveyor devices, especially in roller conveyors, to beretrofitted with the transfer apparatus. With the apparatus, it is alsoattained that transfers can be made in at least two differentdirections, and onto a plurality of further conveyor devices parallel toor at a defined angle to the first conveyor device, and that thelocation of the product being conveyed can be varies in terms of thefeeding direction on the conveyor device. The apparatus moreover makesit possible for all the conveyor devices connected to the apparatus tostay in operation during the transfer process, without affecting theflow of material in the rest of the conveyor system. This is asubstantial advantage for the attainable throughput quantities inconveyor systems and contributes substantially to the assessment of theefficiency of conveyor systems. Retrofitting into existing systems madeby the most various manufacturers is made possibly by a modular designof the apparatus. Another advantage is that the apparatus can bedesigned to be compact and low in height. The invention also makes itpossible for the highest possible operating safety and reliability to beassured during operation of the apparatus, with the least possible wear,and for the apparatus to be used in the food industry or inexplosion-proof rooms.

Exemplary embodiments of the subject of the invention are shown in thedrawings.

FIG. 1 shows one exemplary embodiment in a front view.

FIG. 2 shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in plan view.

FIG. 3 shows the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a side view.

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment in a front view.

FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment in a front view.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment in a view from the front, in whichthe product being conveyed can be transferred for instance from the mainfeed path, which is located in the middle, to the feed paths located tothe right and left of the main feed path. The feed path located to theleft of the main feed path is disposed parallel to the main feed path,and the feed path located to the right of the main feed path transportsthe product being conveyed at an angle of 90° to the main feed path. Theapparatus has a mounting frame (1) and transverse connectors (4), whichform the basic frame of the apparatus. The transverse connectors (4) aresecured to the mounting frame on the right and left and have a maximumwidth that is equivalent to the width of the feed rollers (2). The feedrollers (2) are mounted with receptacles (3) on the transverseconnectors (4). The feed rollers (2) have their own drive, which isintegrated with the feed rollers (2) and which can be designed as anelectric motor with an operating voltage of 24V. Because of thisindependent drive of the feed rollers (2), it is possible to keep thespace between the transverse connectors (4) and feed rollers (2) clearover the full width of the apparatus, so that the receiving elements (7)can be moved to the right and left. The feed path to the right of thefeed path that allows the product being conveyed to be conveyedelsewhere at an angle of 90° to the main feed path is embodied as arakelike belt or flat-belt conveyor (14), which is provided with a driveroller (15) with its own electric motor drive, integrated with the driveroller (15), and whose deflection rollers (16) have at maximum the samewidth as the feed rollers (2), so that the space between the individualbelts/flat belts remains clear. The rakelike belt or flat-belt conveyor(14) is designed as a module, which is mounted on the transverseconnectors (4). A longitudinal driver (10) connected to the mountingframe (1) is integrated into the apparatus. A lifting device (5) ismounted on the longitudinal driver 10 and is moved to the right and leftby the longitudinal driver (10). The longitudinal driver (10) comprisesa linear guide (11), which extends over the full width of the apparatus;a drive belt (13), which is connected solidly to the linear guide (11)at one point; and a drive motor (12), which to save space drives thedrive belt (13) via a transmission belt onto a deflection roller. Thelifting device (5) is solidly connected to the linear guide (11) via thebase plate (9). The pneumatic cylinders (8) are secured in the baseplate (9). In the arrangement shown, the three pneumatic cylinders (8)form a three-point support for the receiving plate (6), which can beextended upward and on which the receiving elements (7) are secured. Thedashed line of the receiving elements (7)/receiving plate (6) representsthe extended state of the lifting device (5). The operation oftransferring a product being conveyed proceeds as follows: the productbeing conveyed is moved in place on the main feed path by theself-driven feed rollers (2). The linear guide (11) has moved thelifting device (5) to underneath the product being conveyed, and thereceiving elements (7) are in the retracted state. The lifting device(5) now lifts the receiving elements (7) by means of the pneumaticcylinders (8), so that the product being conveyed is lifted away fromthe main feed path. The drive motor (12), via the drive belt (13), nowdrives the linear guide (11), so that the lifting device (5) can bemoved together with the product being conveyed arbitrarily to the rightor left, without causing the product being conveyed to slip. Once thetransfer has been accomplished, the lifting device (5) sets the productbeing conveyed down at the desired position, and the product can beconveyed onward.

FIG. 2 shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in plan view. In thisview, the space between the feed rollers (2), which are mounted on thetransverse connectors (4), and the rakelike belt or flat-belt conveyor(14), also mounted on the transverse connectors (4), can be seen. Thereceiving elements (7), which are mounted on the receiving plate (6),lift the product being conveyed away from the feed path.

FIG. 3 shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in a side view from theright, the section taking its course directly to the right of the sidepart that belongs to the mounting frame (1). In this view, the centraldisposition of the linear guide (11) is readily seen. The drive belt(13) is solidly connected to the linear guide (11).

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment, in a view from the front, in whichthe product being conveyed can be transferred from the feed path on theright, for instance, onto the feed path on the left. The apparatus has abase frame (101), in which the technical components of the apparatus areintegrated and thus form a genuine module. The transverse connectors (4)are secured to the base frame (101) and are integrated with It. Theyhave a maximum width that is equivalent to the width of the feed rollers(2). The feed rollers (2) are mounted with receptacles (3) on thetransverse connectors (4). The feed rollers (2) have their ownindependent drive, integrated with the feed rollers (2), that isdesigned as an electric motor with an operating voltage of 24 V. In thisspecial exemplary embodiment, the feed rollers (2) can also be drivenvia a laterally disposed drive that acts on the feed rollers via V-beltsor the like. By this independent drive of the feed rollers (2), it ispossible to keep the space between the transverse connectors (4)/feedrollers (2) clear over the entire width of the apparatus, so that thereceiving elements (7) are mounted on a receiving plate (6) that issecured in turn to a longitudinal driver (102). The longitudinal driver(102) is solidly connected on both ends to bearing receptacles (103). Ashaft (104) is supported in the bearing receptacles (103). This shaft(104) is solidly connected to a pneumatic cylinder (105). The pneumaticcylinder is in turn solidly connected to the base frame (101). Alsosecured to the bearing receptacle (103) is a vertical guide (107), whichcomprises a guide shoe, secured to the inside of the side plate of thebase frame (101), and a guide block, secured to the outside of thebearing receptacle (103). As a precaution against tilting In the even ofan uneven vertical motion in the vertical direction, the guide block isground radially on its outside. The longitudinal driver (102) forInstance comprises a linear guide with its own pneumatic drive, but itcan equally well be driven by a 24 V or 400 V electric motor. Theoperation of transferring a product being conveyed proceeds as follows:The product being conveyed is moved in place on the feed path by theself-driven feed rollers (2). The longitudinal driver (102) has movedthe receiving plate (6) together with the receiving elements (7) tounderneath the product being conveyed, and the receiving elements (7) inthe retracted state are located below the level of the upper edge of therollers. The lifting devices (106), which are secured to the ends of thelongitudinal driver (102), now lift the entire unit, comprising thelongitudinal driver (102), the receiving plate (6), and the receivingelements (7), by means of the pneumatic cylinders (105) in such a waythat the product being conveyed is lifted from the feed path. Thepneumatic cylinder integrated with the longitudinal driver (102) feedsthe product being conveyed arbitrarily from right to left. Once thetransfer has been accomplished, the lifting devices (106) set theproduct being conveyed down at the desired position, and the product canbe conveyed onward. A variant of the exemplary embodiment describedprovides that the longitudinal driver (102) is designed such that thelongitudinal drive is integrated electrically, pneumatically or in someother way entirely into the profile of the longitudinal driver (102),and that the drive for the vertical motion is integrated electrically,pneumatically or in some other way entirely into the bearing receptacles(3), and the lifting operation is effected by means of levers, which arelocated outside the encapsulated unit comprising the longitudinal driver(102) and the bearing receptacles (103) braced or supported on the baseframe (101), and this makes use of the invention in the food industryand in explosion-proof rooms possible.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment in a view from the front in whichthe product being conveyed can be transferred from the feed path locatedon the right, for Instance, to the feed path located in the middle or tothe feed path located on the left. The apparatus has a frame stand(201), with which the technical components of the apparatus areintegrated and thus form a genuine module. The transverse connectors (4)are secured to the frame stand (201) on the right and left and areintegrated with it. They have a maximum width that is equivalent to thewidth of the feed rollers (2). The feed rollers (2) are mounted withreceptacles (3) on the transverse connectors (4). The feed rollers (2)have their own independent drive, which is integrated with the feedrollers (2) and is designed as an electric motor with an operatingvoltage of 24 V. Because of this independent drive of the feed rollers(2), It is possible to keep the space between the transverse connectors(4)/feed rollers (2) clear over the full width of the apparatus, so thatthe receiving elements (7) can be moved to the right and left. Thereceiving elements (7) are secured to a receiving plate (6), which inturn is connected via lifting devices (206) to the driving carriage(202). The lifting devices (206) comprise levers (207) and shafts (208);the shafts (208) are supported rotatably on the driving carriage (202).The drive required to operate the lifting devices (206), such as apneumatic cylinder (205) or an electric motor, are Integrated with thedriving carriage (202). The pneumatic cylinder is rotatably supported,on its free end, on the driving carriage (202). Via a thrust rod, thepneumatic cylinder (205) acts on the levers (207) of the lifting devices(206), which transmit the force to the ball head joints (209) secured tothe receiving plate (6) and thus raise or lower the receiving plate (6)and the receiving elements (7) The driving carriage (202) comprises anundercarriage (203), for example with four wheels (204). The wheels(204) move in the lateral running faces that are integrated with theframe stand (201). For accurate guidance of the driving carriage (202),guide rollers (211 ) for lateral guidance are secured adjustably to thedriving carriage (202). A motor, mounted on the inside in the region ofthe side plates of the frame stand (201), drives the driving carriage(202) via a drive belt (210) that is partially joined solidly to thedriving station that is mounted on the side of the side plates of theframe stand (201). The requisite electrical or pneumatic lines ofoperating the lifting devices (206) are laid out using a drag conduit.

The operation of transferring a product being conveyed proceeds asfollows: The product being conveyed is moved in place on the feed pathby the self-driven feed rollers (2). The driving carriage (202) hasmoved the receiving plate (6) together with the receiving elements (7)to beneath the product being conveyed, and the receiving elements (7) inthe retracted state are located at a level below the upper edge of therollers. The lifting devices now raise the receiving plate (6) with thereceiving elements (7) by means of the pneumatic cylinder (205) and thelifting device (206) in such a way that the product being conveyed islifted away from the feed path. The drive motor, via the drive belt(210), now moves the driving carriage (202) arbitrarily, for instancefrom the right to the middle or to the left. After the transfer has beenaccomplished, the lifting devices (206) set the product being conveyeddown at the desired position and the product being conveyed can beconveyed onward. The course of motion is controlled via a sequencecontroller, integrated with the module, so that the positions can beapproached with maximum accuracy.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Mounting frame

2 Feed roller

3 Receptacle

4 Transverse connector

5 Lifting device

6 Receiving plate

7 Receiving element

8 Pneumatic cylinder

9 Base plate

10 Longitudinal driver

11 Linear guide

12 Drive motor

13 Drive belt

14 Rakelike belt or flat-belt conveyor

15 Drive roller

16 Deflection roller

101 Base frame

102 Longitudinal driver

103 Bearing receptacle

104 Shaft

105 Pneumatic cylinder

106 Lifting device

107 Vertical guide

201 Frame stand

202 Driving carriage

203 Undercarriage

204 Wheel

205 Pneumatic cylinder

206 Lifting device

207 Lever

208 Shaft

209 Ball head joint

210 Drive belt

211 Guide roller

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for transferring products beingconveyed from one conveyor device to at least one conveyor device,disposed parallel or at a defined angle to the first conveyor device,characterized in that the product being conveyed is moved, by means offeed rollers that are integrated with the apparatus and are providedwith their own drive, to a defined position in the apparatus, the feedrollers being secured in a mounting frame and the feed rollers beingsecured via receptacles to transverse connectors; and that thetransverse connectors extend under the feed rollers from one end of theapparatus to the other end of the apparatus and at maximum have the samewidth as the feed rollers; and that the transverse connectors in turnare secured on their ends to the mounting frame; and that the apparatusis equipped with a lifting device and has a least one receiving platemounted on this lifting device, on which plate receiving elements aresecured, which are located in the space between the feed rollers; andthat the upper ends of these receiving elements, in the basic position,are located below the upper edge of the feed rollers; and that the upperends of these receiving elements, in the working position, are locatedabove the upper edge of the feed rollers; and that the lifting deviceitself is secured to a device for longitudinally driving the entirelifting device and this longitudinal driver is in turn secured to themounting frame; and that transferal can be done at an angle of 90° or atan arbitrary angle greater than 0° and less than 180° to the originalfeeding direction onto at least one conveyor device disposed parallel orat a defined angle to the original conveyor device; and that the feedingdirection of the product being conveyed does not change; and that theoperation of conveyor devices upstream, downstream, and in between isnot interrupted.
 2. An apparatus for transferring products beingconveyed from one conveyor device to at least one conveyor device,disposed parallel or at a defined angle to the first conveyor device,characterized in that the product being conveyed is moved, by means offeed rollers that are integrated with the apparatus and are providedwith their own drive, to a defined position in the apparatus, the feedrollers being secured in a mounting frame and the feed rollers beingsecured via receptacles to transfers connectors; and that the transverseconnectors extend under the feed rollers from one end of the apparatusto the other end of the apparatus and at maximum have the same width asthe feed rollers; and that the transverse connectors in turn are securedon their ends to the mounting frame; and that the apparatus is equippedwith a lifting device and has at least one receiving plate mounted onthis lifting device, on which plate receiving elements are secured,which are located in the space between the feed rollers; and that theupper ends of these receiving elements, in the basic position, arelocated below the upper edge of the feed rollers; and that the upperends of these receiving elements, in the working position, are locatedabove the upper edge of the feed rollers; and that the lifting deviceitself is secured to a device for longitudinally driving the entirelifting device and this longitudinal driver is in turn secured to themounting frame; and that transferal can be done at an angle of 90° or atan arbitrary angle greater than 0° and less than 180° to the originalfeeding direction onto at least one conveyor device disposed to theoriginal conveyor device; and that the feeding direction of the productbeing conveyed changes: and that the further conveyance of thetransferred product being conveyed is effected by means of a rakelikebelt or flat-belt conveyor, which is integrated with the apparatus andis secured to the transverse connectors and which has one drive rollerequipped with its own drive, a plurality of conveyor belts, and on theinside of the apparatus narrow deflection rollers, which have a maximumwidth equivalent to the width of the transverse connectors, whichconveys the product being conveyed onward from the place where theproduct being conveyed was transferred to a downstream conveyor device;and that the operation of the conveyor devices upstream and downstreamis not interrupted.
 3. An apparatus for transferring products beingconveyed from one conveyor device to at least one conveyor device,disposed parallel or at a defined angle to the first conveyor device,characterized in that the product being conveyed is moved, by means offeed rollers that are integrated with the apparatus and are providedwith their own drive, to a defined position in the apparatus, the feedrollers being secured in a mounting frame and the feed rollers beingsecured via receptacles to transverse connectors; and that thetransverse connectors extend under the feed rollers from one end of theapparatus to the other end of the apparatus and at maximum have the samewidth as the feed rollers; and that the transverse connectors in turnare secured on their ends to the mounting frame; and that the apparatushas at least one receiving element, which is located in the spacebetween the feed rollers; and that the upper ends of these receivingelements, in the basic position, are located below the upper edge of thefeed rollers; and that the upper ends of the receiving elements, in theworking position, are located above the upper edge of the feed rollers;and that the receiving elements are mounted on a receiving plate, whichin turn is secured to at least one longitudinal driver; and that theentire longitudinal driver is connected to a base frame via at least onelifting device; and that at an angle of 90° or at an arbitrary anglegreater than 0° and less than 180° to the original feeding directiontransferal can be done to conveyor devices disposed parallel or at adefined angle to the original conveyor device; and that the feedingdirection of the product being conveyed does not change; and that theoperation of the conveyor device upstream, downstream and in between isnot interrupted.
 4. An apparatus for transferring products beingconveyed from one conveyor device to at least one conveyor device,disposed parallel or at a defined angle to the first conveyor device,characterized in that the product being conveyed is moved, by means offeed rollers that are integrated with the apparatus and are providedwith their own drive, to a defined position in the apparatus, the feedrollers being secured in a mounting frame and the feed rollers beingsecured via receptacles to transverse connectors; and that thetransverse connectors extend under the feed rollers from one end of theapparatus to the other end of the apparatus and at maximum have the samewidth as the feed rollers; and that the transverse connectors in turnare secured on their ends to the mounting frame; and that the apparatusis equipped with at least one lifting device and has at least onereceiving plate mounted on this lifting device, on which plate receivingelements are secured, which are located in the space between the feedrollers; and that the upper ends of these receiving elements, in thebasic position, are located below the upper edge of the feed rollers;and that the upper ends of these receiving elements, in the workingposition, are located above the upper edge of the feed rollers; and thatthe lifting device itself is secured to at least one device forlongitudinally driving the entire lifting device and this longitudinaldriver is a driving carriage and/or sliding carriage, and the moving orsliding elements of the driving carriage and/or sliding carriage aresupported in frame stand; and that the driving carriage and/or thesliding carriage, as well as the receiving elements and the feedrollers, can be embodied in such a way that the apparatus is designed asa curve and the driving carriage and/or sliding carriage is capable offollowing the curve; and that at an angle of 90° or at an arbitraryangle of greater than 0° and less than 180° to the original feedingdirection, transferal can be done to at least one conveyor devicedisposed parallel to or at a defined angle to the original conveyordevice; and that the feeding direction of the product being conveyeddoes not change; and that the operation of the conveyor devicesupstream, downstream and in between is not interrupted.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the vertical lifting motion of the lifting device iseffected by at least one pneumatic cylinder, which is mounted on one endof a base plate and on whose other end at least one receiving plate ismounted.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vertical liftingmotion of the lifting device is effected by means of a motor-drivenlinear guide, and the drive motor and at least one guide apparatus forat least one receiving plate, wherein said linear guide comprises avertical column guide, and wherein a first end of said linear guide ismounted on a base plate, and wherein said at least one receiving plateis mounted on a second end of the linear guide.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the lifting device has at least one guide apparatus,said at least one guide apparatus comprising a vertical column guide,wherein a first end of said at least one guide apparatus is secured to abase plate and wherein a second end of said at least one guide apparatuscomprises a guide bush, wherein said guide bush is secured to the atleast one receiving plate.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein avertical lifting motion of the lifting device is effected by means of atleast one lifting magnet, wherein a first end of said at least onelifting magnet is mounted on a base plate, and wherein said at least onereceiving plate is mounted on a second end of said at least one liftingmagnet.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a horizontal longitudinalmotion of the longitudinal drive is effected by a linear guide with adrive motor and a revolving drive belt, and the linear guide isconnected on its ends to the mounting frame and the lifting device ismounted on the linear guide.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein ahorizontal longitudinal motion of the longitudinal driver is effected bymeans of at least one column guide with guide shoes, and the at leastone column guide is connected on its ends to the mounting frame and thelifting device is mounted on the guide shoes, and the horizontallongitudinal motion of the lifting device is effected by means of adrive motor accommodated in a space-saving way in the region of thelongitudinal driver and has a revolving drive belt or a drive chain,wherein said drive motor is in engagement in a region of the liftingdevice and can move the lifting device in the horizontal direction toboth sides relative to an outset position.
 11. The apparatus for claim1, wherein a horizontal longitudinal motion of the longitudinal driveris effected by means of at least one column guide with guide shoes, andthe column guide is connected on its ends to the mounting frame and thelifting device is mounted on the guide shoes, and the horizontallongitudinal motion of the lifting device is effected by abi-directional pneumatic cylinder accommodated in a space-saving way ina region of the longitudinal driver and is in engagement in a region ofthe lifting device and can move the lifting device in the horizontaldirection to both sides relative to an outset position.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving elements for the productbeing conveyed are embodied as plates, said plates disposed in avertical direction on the at least one receiving plate and linearlyreceiving a load of the product being conveyed.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the apparatus is constructed as a modular system, sothat there is compatability with other conveyor devices, and whereinsaid other conveyor devices can be retrofitted.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the apparatus is made of a material selected from thegroup consisting of steel and aluminum.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein a vertical lifting motion of the lifting device is effected bymeans of at least one pneumatic cylinder connected on a first end tobase frame and connected solidly on a second end to a shaft disposed atan angle of 90° to the lifting motion, and the shaft is supported at atleast one bearing receptacle, wherein said at least one bearingreceptacle is solidly connected to the longitudinal driver, and to avertical guide in an outer region, said vertical guide braced againstthe base frame, wherein outermost faces of said vertical guide pointingtoward side plates of the base frame are ground radially in a verticaldirection, such that said outermost faces cannot become caught duringthe lifting motion.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein drives of thelifting device and the longitudinal driver are integrated with a closedprofile that is disposed in a longitudinal direction in the apparatus,so that a tight encapsulation is made possible, and that the drives ofthe lifting device act on levers, said levers located outside the closedprofile and comprising a double-hinged or triple-hinged lever; andwherein said levers are braced on a base frame, so that a unitcomprising the drives of the lifting device and the longitudinal drivercan be raised and lowered in the closed profile.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein a drive of the lifting device operates pneumatically,electrically, electromagnetically, or hydraulically, and verticalguidance operates by means of a device selected from the groupconsisting of lever devices, hinged devices, linear guides, or columnguides with guide shoes.
 18. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein thelifting device is secured on a driving carriage, and the drivingcarriage is provided with wheels that run in a region of a frame standin an upright U-profile that is a component of the frame stand; and thatguide rollers mounted adjustably on the driving carriage guide thedriving carriage longitudinally in a travel direction in the framestand; and wherein the driving carriage has a drive selected from thegroup consisting of a pneumatic, electric, electromagnetic or hydraulicdrive, said drive mounted in or outside the frame stand; and wherein aforce transmission to the driving carriage is effected directly by thedrive unit or by a drive belt; and wherein said drive belt is disposedin revolving fashion and is connected solidly, but adjustably, to thedriving carnage at a receptacle.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe receiving elements are shaped on a respective top side such thatinsertion aids are mounted on left and right edges of linear bearingfaces, so that the product being conveyed can be centered or positionedprecisely.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving elementsare shaped on a respective top side such that individual segments oflinear bearing faces are lowered upon reception of the product beingconveyed and the product being conveyed is thereby fixed, whereby atransfer of the product being conveyed at a very high speed is madepossible.